Here it Comes Again: The Latest Form of Anti-Semitism

After the Holocaust, Jewish refugees dreamed of being gathered to their ancient homeland, the land of Israel, so that never again the dybuk (Yiddish word for demon) of anti-Semitism could rise to haunt them once more in the nations where they were scattered.

But demons don't die.They stick around for another cycle…and another, and another….For that reason, every year at Passover, in every nation where Jews are scattered, for more than 2000 years, they read from their Passover Haggada (traditional readings) the following:

"And it is that promise [everlas-ting covenant with Abraham] which has been the support of our forefathers and of ourselves, for not just one person has risen up against us, but in every generation there are those who have risen against us to annihilate us, but the Most Holy One, blessed be He, has always delivered us out of their hands."

In the month of April, massive anti-Israel (read anti-Jewish) protests exploded across Arab nations, spilled over into Europe, and then moved on into the U.S.Acts of terror have accompanied the demonstrations.

A gas-laden tanker rammed a Tunisian synagogue, exploded and killed 17. The Tunisian government described it as a "tragic accident," but a London-based pan-Arab daily Al-Quds says that the "Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Sites," claimed responsibility.This organization is believed to be the military wing of a militant coalition dominated by bin Laden's Al-Qaida and which also claimed responsibility for the 1998 bombings of U.S. em-bassies in Kenya and Tanzania. (Jerusalem Post, Apr. 17, 02)

A community of more than 100,000 Jews in Tunisia has dwindled to about 2,000. This attack may spark another exodus from the remnant of Jews left in that Muslim state.

Turkey, an Isla-mic (non-Arab) government, has strong relations with Israel because the all-powerful Turkish army is pro-West.But Turkey's Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's recent remarks that Israel is carrying out a "genocide" against Palestinians have led to a serious crisis between the two strategic allies and have encouraged the anti-Israeli demonstrations in that nation which are equating Israel with the Nazis.

Massive demonstrations have been orchestrated in Damascus, Amman, Bagdad and Cairo.However, now this spirit of hatred of Jews has spilled over into Europe.There have been approximately 400 recent serious attacks against Jews and their religious sites in France alone - the same pattern that evolved in the 1930's as Hitler rose to power.

An arson attack at Marseille's Or Aviv temple destroyed the 20-year-old synagogue, leaving it a blackened mass of wood and metal.(Ibid., Apr. 2, 02)A gunman opened fire on a kosher butcher shop in Toulouse southern France.Arsonists threw two Molotov cocktails at a synagogue in Antwerp, Belgium.

ANTI-ISRAEL, ANTI-ZIONISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM ALL THE SAME

Anti-Israel sentiment is now quickly evolving into hatred of all Jews everywhere.Spray paint graffiti reads, "Death to the Jews," just like pre-Holocaust acts in Europe - with an additional message: "Bin Laden will conquer."A mob marched down the Ukraine capital's main boulevard shouting, "Kill the Jews!" before attacking the synagogue and beating an Orthodox Jew with stones.(Ibid., Apr. 15, 02)

In Paris attackers threw stones at a bus carrying pupils of a Jewish school.Paris Mayor Bertrand Deleroc said he was "profoundly shocked" by the attack.However, these attacks must be seen in light of the fact that there are approximately 5,000,000 Muslims in France alone (compared to 600,000 Jews). Islam has become the second religion - the first being Catholicism - in France, and, in fact, in all of Europe.(Ibid., Apr. 1, 02)

Over the last few weeks Muslims and sympathetic Europeans have held massive Palestinian protests across France, Germany and Britain.The French government warned that France must not become a battleground where Jews and Muslims re-enact the bloody Middle East violence, conveniently forgetting in their "evenhanded" assessment that there were 400 attacks against Jews and 0 attacks against Arabs.

ISRAEL VS. THE WORLD

French Jews are afraid that the attacks might signal a fresh wave of anti-Semitism reminiscent of the Nazi era.The Israeli Foreign Ministry has put anti-Semitism at the top of its agenda after watching the phenomenon blatantly display itself last summer when the U.N. turned its Conference on Racism in Durban, South Africa, into a vicious onslaught against the Jewish nation.This was done through the auspices of the Arab nations together with other third world countries who together now dominate the U.N.

The Israel-bashing world conference was unprecedented in its incredibly one-sided condemnation of so-called Zionist racism, without a single word of condemnation of Islamic persecution and terror against Jews, Christians and other religions.

ANTI-SEMITISM HITS U.S. CAMPUSES

Perhaps most disturbing is the recent actions of some students on American campuses who are accusing Israel of carrying out massacres, violating human rights and committing atrocities. According to newspaper reports, more and more grassroots anti-Israel movements have sprung up in such notable universities as Ohio State, Columbia, University of California at Berkeley, Rutgers, Georgetown, University of Nebraska, Brown University and Princeton.In one university, calls to divest of investments in Israel have been made with racist curses being scrawled on garbage cans and windows.

A thousand pro-Palestinian demonstrators and spectators recently rallied at the University of California, Berkeley.At the University of Michigan protesters, some with arms tied and mouths gagged, paraded mutely through the Ann Arbor campus.(Ibid., Apr. 14, 02)

One young man, clad only in underwear, bore a sign saying he was representing the "Palestinians who were asked to strip naked by the Israeli Army, lie on their stomachs and then taken on to an unknown location."What the protester, of course, deleted from his facts is that the Israeli army sometimes does this when they suspect an Arab of making himself a human booby trap, ready to explode himself as soon as he is approached by a soldier.Meanwhile several Jews were attacked and beaten near the Berkeley campus.

At Ohio State University, protestors chanted, "Stop the hate.Stop the crime.Help save Palestine."Some also wore yellow armbands in memory of those who perished in the Holocaust, thus likening the Palestinians to Holocaust victims and the Israelis to the Nazis.One of the pro-Palestinian protestors was an Israeli Jewish student who said, "It's abhorrent to me that my people would be enacting such brutality, such atrocities, on the Palestinian people."(Ibid.)

Other anti-Israel demonstrations have been held at some 30 universities across the country.They are expressing their solidarity with a group of people who send college-age kids out to self-detonate near as many Israeli civilians as possible.(Wall St. Journal, Apr. 14, 02)

Jonathan Rosenblum, an Orthodox Jew, who writes regularly for the Jerusalem Post, observes what is to him an incomprehensible phenomenon that has appeared since the second Intifada began 21 months ago. He writes:"The main bastions of the political left - academia and the media, in which Jews are greatly over-represented - are hotbeds of Israel-bashing.Precisely in those circles in which Jews have mingled most freely is the antipathy to Israel most strongly expressed."(J.P. Apr. 12, 02)

GREATEST SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL COMES FROM CHRISTIANS

To add to his perplexity and surprise, Rosenblum notes that the strongest support today for Israel "comes from precisely those parties with whom Jews are least comfortable.The bedrock of America's staunch support for Israel is…in those states where there are the fewest Jews and the most biblical religious fervor [among Christians.]What he is saying is that support for Israel is coming from politically conservative Christians and not politically liberal Jews.

Indeed, while Israel fights for its life, there are prominent Jews to the left in Israel (though far fewer today than a year ago) who are lambasting the Israeli government, accusing her of unleashing a "reign of terror" and of repressive aggression on the innocent Palestinian victims.They consistently fail to mention that there are no Jews who kill in the name of Judaism or who have exploded bombs in public places; there are no calls from synagogue pulpits to kill infidels.

"Throughout the horrible month of March," says Rosenblum,"the Jews of Israel felt themselves on the verge of another epochal catastrophe.The future of the Jewish state and the possibility of another Exile were subjects on everyone's heart.That is why 85% of Israel's Jews, despite their enormous need for the respect of the world, support the current campaign to uproot the terrorist infrastructure."(Ibid.)

WHEN FANTASIES BECOME TRUTH

The Arab PR spokesmen have learned that they can say almost anything they can invent or imagine, and they are assured of it being broadcast as fact on the air.As we watch the world's news stations night after night, we are astounded as networks broadcast claims of Israeli massacres, mass graves, war crimes, even "killing millions of innocent Palestinians" as newsworthy and factual.The reporters on these networks, sometimes themselves of Palestinian background, fail to question these claims, though at times they have admitted the accusations may be somewhat "exaggerated."

It can be said, without hesitation, that most anti-Israel claims of violent behavior are utterly ridiculous and boldface lies.The Israeli army, though at war, is excruciatingly aware of what the world already thinks about Israel.Its leadership has often chosen to pay with the lives of its own soldiers in its determination to cause as few civilian Palestinian causalities as possible.

Meanwhile, it is the habit of basically all networks to ignore the stories of human tragedy from terrorist acts such as the vicious murder of a 13-year-old Israeli hiking with his friend; the infant, Shalhevet Pass, targeted by an Arab sniper; and literally hundreds of other Israeli women, children, young people and elderly civilians, all senselessly murdered or maimed over recent months because they were Jewish.

"If any other country in the world were hemorrhaging from terrorism at the rate Israel is, would there be any question of its right to defend itself?(The more than 100 Jewish civilians murdered by terrorists in March alone are the equivalent, in American terms of two World Trade Centers.)To deny Israel's right to defend itself is to deny the right of the Jews to a state," says Rosenburg.

If one does not understand the spiritual implications - that this is a war against God, His Word and His promises to His people Israel, vs. the god of this world and his own plan to oppose the purposes of God - it is difficult to make any sense at all out of this conflict.In fact, it is only in the very few countries where there are multitudes of Christians praying for the Jewish nation that one will find government support for the existence and security of the state of Israel.

The rally of more than 200,000 in Washington on April 15 included many senators and congressmen and other public officials who clearly understand the difference between the democratic Israeli state, the Biblical homeland for the Jewish people; and the Palestinian Authority, a terrorist organization that wishes to create a fundamentalist Islamic dictatorship, first of all, on the borders of Israel, and as step two, in place of what is today Israel.

A MOTHER IN ISRAEL TALKS ABOUT HER SONS WHO ARE ISRAELI SOLDIERS

Fifteen soldiers killed in Jenin….As I heard the news my heart sank. A feeling of terror came over me and tears welled up in my eyes.Every news report of a casualty among the soldiers feels like a personal blow. I feel the agony of their families crying out in pain. I am the mother of two soldiers serving in the Israel Defense Forces.

Although I've known for many years that my sons would one day serve in the army, I wasn't prepared for the emotional stress that would be on me. I realized early on that I would have to make a decision to stand in faith. Otherwise, I could not survive.

Thankfully, we serve a God who is the Lord of Hosts (Armies)! He has provided us with a handbook of faith to stand against the enemy.

Psalms 91:5-7

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

I quote these verses every day and replace the "you" with the names of my sons and other soldiers who I am praying for. One of my close friend's son is making nightly runs in his army vehicle, the lights off in order to not be detected. A group of soldiers we know watched the outpost they were in being destroyed around them. Another believing soldier was forced to attend three funerals and then return to his base and resume work minus three comrades.

Psalms 91:11-12

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up lest you dash your foot against a stone.

I've chosen to believe the promises of the scriptures and deliberately put them forth every day. It's not easy.But for the sake of my sons and the other soldiers serving in the IDF, I choose to walk in faith.

Once every two months I organize a meeting for the believing soldiers. At these meetings we have fellowship, teaching and prayer -- to provide a spiritual base for them and to strengthen and encourage them as they serve in the army. I estimate there are approximately 100 believing soldiers actively serving in the IDF.

Here are some prayer points you can join us in praying for:

-PHYSICAL PROTECTION for these soldiers - especially now that the country is in a state of war;

-EMOTIONAL PROTECTION - some soldiers deal with emotional wounds years after being released;

-STRENGTH FOR THE INNER MAN - day to day challenges of being in the army such as loneliness and getting along with others can be overwhelming;

-SPIRITUAL STRENGTH - the atmosphere of the army does not lend itself to spiritual renewal and there is little opportunity for a quiet time;

- WITNESS - that these soldiers may maintain a positive witness to their friends and comrades.

Betty Intrater is the wife of Asher, one of the elders in our congregation, Tiferet Yeshua (the Glory of Yeshua). Their two sons and several other young men and women connected with our congregation are presently serving in the IDF: Yehezkel, Freddy, Ilan, Arik, Ze’ev, Shir-el, Danit and Shani. Please keep them in your prayers.

What does the Bible mean when it talks about the Mountains of Israel?

Supporting Israel in 2002 is a tremendous test of one's faith.Who do we believe?

The UN passed a resolution initiated by President George Bush, supporting the establishment of an independent state of Palestine in the West Bank and Gaza.

Colin Powell asserts that terrorism cannot be eradicated by military response, and says Israel must get out of the West Bank immediately.

The European Union is discussing placing economic sanctions on Israel (as if Israel's economy were not already being devastated by terrorism.)

The Bible says that the West Bank (of the Jordan river) is the VERY AREA where God made a solemn promise to Abraham that this land would be his and his seed's (through Isaac and Jacob) FOREVER.(Gen. 13:14-17)

Is it really important if we BELIEVE what the Bible says about Israel?If GOD thinks it is important, therefore IT IS!

But if we do not have a reasonable grasp of what the Bible says about the ownership of the land of Israel, then, of course, it is difficult to believe what we do not know.

Because of Maoz's ongoing desire to get the truth of the Word of God concerning Israel to our readers, we are offering you the book,“The Mountains of Israel”by Norma Archbold.It is concise, clear and easy to read - the best book we know of concerning the future destiny of the PHYSICALLAND of Israel.(120 pages)

We will send “The Mountains of Israel” to our Maoz readers who send a contribution of $15.00 or more and who request the book.

HaAretz Newspaper Ad

This ad was placed in Israel's daily HaAretz newspaper on April 17, 2002, Israel's Independence Day. It was paid for by the Messianic congregations of Israel, including our own, Tiferet Yeshua (The Glory of Yeshua) Congregation. Below is the English translation.

A Declaration of Support

On the occasion of the 54th Independence Day of the State of Israel

We, leaders of Messianic Jewish Congregations in Israel, wish to declare our support for the government of Israel at this difficult hour of emergency, and to reach out with a message of comfort and encouragement to the people dwelling in Zion.

Be strong and courageous, Israel!

Do not fear or be dismayed, for The Lord our God is our help.

As it is written: “But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, Descendant of Abraham My friend, You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, ‘You are my servant. I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Surely I will help you, Surely, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored;Those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing, and non-existent. For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ ”(Isaiah 41:8-13)

From us the call goes forth to all the friends of Israel, and to those who love God from among the nations to mobilize and stand at the right hand of the State of Israel at this time of testing:

-To lift the nation up in prayer

-To raise a protest against the rising tides of anti-Semitism

-To offer support and help to the State of Israel.

As it is written: “A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.”

(Proverbs 17:17)

Signed by: Leaders of Messianic Jewish congregations in Israel

Clarification: Messianic Jews believe that according to Biblical prophecies and the New Testament, Yeshua, The Son of David, is our Messiah, our Righteousness and our Redeemer. At His first coming, some 2,000 years ago, He became our personal Redeemer, through His sacrifice, which atones for sin. In His soon-to-be second coming, He will appear as our national redeemer and save our people.

May 2002

Dear Maoz Partner,

You are aware that Israel is fighting for her life.Who will stand with her?

"I will bless those you bless you."

Blessing is an active verb. It is impossible to passively bless someone!And, please believe us, Israel's is aware of who is blessing her.

When Pat Robertson spoke out forcefully in favor of Israel's right to fight Islamic terrorism, Israelis were so grateful for this one Christian's daring to stand up for her that his remarks were widely quoted in the Israeli press.In fact, Israel's Messianic Jewish congregations are now even being allowed to place ads of support for our nation in the Israeli newspapers! (See page 5)

When Christians have mass public prayer meetings for the Jewish nation, the news media is reporting it in lengthy articles.

Israel is isolated, scorned and rejected by the world.

But she is loved by Christians who know what the Bible says, believes what the Bible says and acts on what the Bible says.

As Israel walks through this dark tunnel, help will come from one place and one place only: Yeshua the Messiah of Israel, and His followers.Israel's salvation is near!

Let us now put into action as never before the Word of the Lord:"For the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" is to the Jew first!(Rom 1:16)

We ask you to join us in bringing the Gospel of Yeshua the Messiah to the Israeli people *through our Tel Aviv congregation, *through our Hebrew literature program, *through evangelism in the streets of Tel Aviv, *through small home groups, *through our Bible courses, *through blessing the poor and *through the investing of your gifts to other trusted ministries and congregations in Israel (including our Arab fellow-believers).

May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob reward you as He as promised.

For the salvation of Israel,

Ari & Shira Sorko-Ram

P.S.Be sure to mark the card if you desire to receive the book, THE MOUNTAINS OF ISRAEL.